Meet the Merchant - Stratford's Wine Agencies

STRATFORD'S WINE AGENCIES High St, Cookham, Berks, SL6 9SQ Tel: 01628 810 606 www.stratfordwine.co.uk

It began as a mail order wine business 30 years ago, started by the parents of current MD, Paul Stratford. Over the last 15 years, Paul, who fell in love with Australian wines while working out there, has turned the company into a significant

specialist in New World wines.

Stratfords has wines from every New World producing country

and the 'New World in the Old World' region of the south of France, and the business is split roughly 50-50 between wholesale work and supplying the big national retailers.

Talking to Louise Hill, marketing manager

Areas of speciality?

New World.

Any areas/regions you avoid?

Traditional Old World wines.

Which areas/vintages are exciting you at the moment?

McLaren Vale, Hunter Valley, Margaret River and Adelaide Hills from Australia, and also Argentina and Chile

Anyone you'd recommend at the £5 to £12-bottle level?

Wakefield Promised Land Shiraz Cabernet 2002 - absolutely stunning. Clare Valley rich, spicy fruit and a Great Value Red Wine of the Year at the International Wine Challenge 2004 £5+VAT.

How about something really different?

Battle of Bosworth McLaren Vale Organic Shiraz 2002 - big, meaty and luscious, £9+VAT.

What makes a good wine list?

A wide choice, but at the same time focus. Recognised favourites and a selection of new/different recommendations at reasonable prices to encourage trial. Also, great wines

(rather than mediocre ones) by the glass

Pick a Sunday roast wine off your list

Anakena Single Vineyard Rapel Valley Carmenère 2003 (winner of this year's Wines of Chile Carmenère trophy). Great, concentrated fruit, balanced perfectly with carefully-used oak and tannins providing structure and finesse, £5+VAT.

And for "difficult" dishes like curry or fusion?

Hidden Hill Chardonnay Viognier 2003 from Languedoc-Roussillon France (our only non- New World region producer - chosen for a reason: the owner's "new world attitude"). This interesting blend of spicy Viognier, married perfectly with the softer Chardonnay has plenty of upfront fruit to match well with spicy foods but an elegance which is typically French.

Three wines from your list every serious gastro-pub should have:

Cable Bay Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2004, £6+VAT;

Wakefield Promised Land Shiraz Cabernet 2002, £5.50+VAT,

(Great Value Red Wine of the Year, International Wine Challenge 2004);

Claude Val Blanc Classique - total versatility for matching with any kind of menu and amazing value, so superb for by-the-glass, £3+VAT.

Chris Losh's pick

NEPENTHE TRYST SAUVIGNON BLANC SEMILLON 2004, ADELAIDE HILLS

Loads of great wines to choose from at Nepenthe (they've a very promising Tempranillo, for example, while the Riesling is something of a legend), but it's the flexibility in this one that gives it the nod over the others. Good Sauvignon

Blanc aromatics on the nose are rounded out by more lush, figgy Semillon on the palate to give a wine that works both on its own or with fish, salads and Asian foods. Cool climate Aussie white at its best, £5+VAT.

Stratford's works with a large network of wholesalers across the UK. Please contact 01628 810606 or sales@stratfordwine.co.uk for details of your nearest wholesaler. Because prices will vary from one wholesaler to another, prices quoted above are approximate, per-bottle

and ex-VAT.